Dash cams - cameras that attach to a vehicle’s interior windscreen via suction cup or an adhesive tape mount, have increased in popularity.

In 2014, the terrifying footage of a TransAsia plane clipping a bridge in Taiwan and crashing into a river was captured on dash cams by at least two cars. Also, in 2013, a dash cam device recorded a meteorite falling and hitting the ground in Russia, injuring more than 1000 people.

“In Europe, dash cam sales have started to soar. Early 2014 sales in France were estimated to be 370,000* - mainly people equipping themselves against possible hit and runs. In South Korea, the devices have become essential as deterrents for scammers who throw themselves onto the windscreens of slow-moving cars in a bid to claim insurance money. Some insurers even offer discounts on monthly premiums to car owners who use them,” says Warwick Scott-Rodger, Head of Dialdirect.

Singapore’s largest taxi firm has installed dash cams in all 16 600 of its vehicles to encourage prudent driving. Footage is sometimes also fed to websites to shame reckless drivers. In Australia, dash cams are relatively new but gaining traction for combating road rage.

Scott-Rodger notes that in South Africa, dash cams could go a long way in helping to prevent aggression on the roads, provide evidence in case of an accident or crime and even corruption.

“Car accidents happen in a flash and sometimes, the recollection of the people involved is unclear. Dash cams provide a solution to this problem," says Scott-Rodger.

Dialdirect urges those to choose to use a dash cam to insure it correctly.

“Make sure to insure your dash cam under the Portable Possession or All Risk section of your policy. If the value of the dash cam exceeds your insurers unspecified value limit, make sure it’s specified. Also, cabin clause limits may apply if stolen from the cabin of the vehicle,” says Scott-Rodger.

“All in all, technology is making a significant contribution towards safer roads. The consensus is that dash cams are a positive development for road safety and in ensuring that drivers and all road users act more responsibly,” concludes Scott-Rodger.